I'm heading into my first Fall/Winter of biking and can definitely use some advice.

Head: what works best here? Do I want a helmet cover or some kind of close-fitting cap? Recommendations?

Hands: it looks to me like most of the winter gloves (and full fingered gloves) have very little padding in the palms. Why is this? Is there some sort of liner that might fit under my regular gloves, or over my regular gloves that would be grippy enough for shifting and braking without being too bulky?

Recommendations on jackets and tights would also be appreciated.

I'll probably try to keep biking while temperatures stay at least in the 40's. Hopefully I've got two good months left, providing I can assemble the right clothing.

Thanks, Nicole